Their meaning? The first five numbers represent the length of our long national nightmare. They are the total days since the last football game played by the Utes (265), Aggies (243), Byu (238), Any College Team (220) or since any relevant football of any kind at the Super Bowl (193).
The final number? That is the amount of days we must endure before the nightmares all come to an end (Well except for BYU who has to wait 2 more days..
So with only one week to go, Red, Blue And Pigskin makes it triumphant return.
Since Last We Met
All three teams met with coaching turmoil during the offseason. Utah State saw their head coach bite off more than he can chew by going to Wisconsin. Offensive Coordinator Matt Wells was rewarded with the job, and will try to keep the upward momentum going in Logan as they enter a new Conference.
Last year, Utah conducted a months long nationwide search that resulted in Brian Johnson becoming the Offensive Coordinator. Many were left scratching their heads wondering how you can conduct a nationwide search for that long and come to the conclusions that the best man to be your Offensive Coordinator is a 25 years old kid who has never called plays before. After a year of evidence, Kyle Whittingham decided that Brian Johnson may not be quite ready. This year, without a nationwide search, ended up with Dennis Erickson to become Co Offensive Coordinator with Brian Johnson. And By Co Offensive Coordinator, he meant. Erickson is the offensive coordinator, but Whit doesn't want to admit he was wrong about Johnson, and Johnson is still part of the plan, so let's throw him a bone while Erickson mentors him.
Fans in Provo would love to be mocking Utah for bungled misstep at Offensive Coordinator, if they themselves were busy seeing BYU trying to make up for their own OC mishandling. In 2011, tired of seeing the same old stale predictable offense, Robert Anae was ran out of town in favor of Brandon Doman. After 2 years of crappy offense, and an extremely messy QB situation, Doman was let go, and the Cougars are desperately trying to make it work with Robert Anae again. It's like being in a long term relationship with your girlfriend, that you find a bit boring. Then your job hires a hot, sexy new secretary that for some reason is into you, so you dump your girlfriend. Then you find out that your new fling is a little bit psycho, and a lot bit crazy, so after some serious grovelling (in this case telling Anae he could be the next Head Coach) you talk your old girlfriend into trying things again. Pretty sure that always ends well.
Speaking of changes, both Kyle Whittingham and Bronco Mendenhall have both gone through major personality changes this offseason, or in the case of Bronco, he actually got one. Both have been more jovial in the media, and Bronco even joined Twitter. Most amazingly Bronco was even found socializing with fans. Of course the more cynical among us will think how funny it is that both coaches get a softer personality (or any personality at all) after such disappointing seasons, with both possibly coaching for their futures this year. As for me, I'll just lament how I won't be able to make fun of Bronco for his personality during my annual Holy War right up.
Of Course, Bronco being the giving person that he is, made up for that with Tradition, Honor, and Spirit.
Building On Success
The most successful team in the state in 2012 unsurprising faces the least turmoil going into 2013. The Aggies had their best season is program history in 2012, and has a large amount of returning starters, including the current best QB in the state, though he'll have more competition for that title this season, in Chucky Keeton. For the Aggies the big changes came on the sideline, and off the field.
On the sideline, the mastermind of the Aggies return to decency left for Wisconsin, and Offensive Coordinator Matt Wells takes over. While I think Andersen was a good coach, if not a bit overrated, and think Matt Wells actually deserves a large chunk of credit for the Aggies finally making the jump last season, listening to interviews with Wells during the offseason lead me to believe it may be a bit of an adjustment being the main man.
To make his job tougher, the Aggies will no longer be playing against WAC Teams. While they will forever be the reigning WAC Football champions, now that the WAC is no longer in the Football business, the Aggies will see a bit of an uptick in on the field competition as they enter the Mountain West Conference. Sure the Mountain West has it's share of dregs (New Mexico, Unlv), but the top end is an increase over what was the top dog in the WAC, as Boise State, and San Diego State both decided to remain in the Mountain West.
Tradition, Honor, Spirit
While BYU may finally be done with the nightmare of the Riley Nelson era, there are still a lot of questions for BYU on the offensive side. Many of these revolve around Taysom Hill. While all accounts seem to indicate that Taysom is healthy after last year's disastrous knee injury, we are still left with a question as to just what kind of QB Taysom is. In very limited action last year, results were mixed, aided greatly by Utah State going full on prevent at the end of the first half last year.
If Hill is accurate and able to get the ball downfield, maybe some of BYU's many offensive weapons, like Cody Hoffman and Ross Apo might finally get some use. However, in what we saw last year, Hill seemed many times like he was all too willing to just tuck the ball and run. If that's the case, then that will make Hill as slightly faster Riley Nelson.
Defensively, BYU had arguably it's best defense in program history last season. Surprisingly enough Super Stud Linebacker Kyle Van Oy decided to return to the team for his senior season to complete unfished business (Beat Utah). This could end up being a mistake for Van Oy from an draft perspective because BYU's defense also lost a lot of players throughout, including top 5 pick Ziggy Ansah. One of the major losses, especially as it relates to Van Oy and his production will be at the Nose Tackle spot where Romney Fuga graduated.
In the backfield BYU may very well start holding open tryouts at the Cornerback positions as they have been devastated by injuries through fall and spring camp. Of course, BYU never has good cornerbacks, so it's questionable how much that will hurt BYU. Once again, it will all come down to how well the front seven is able to provide pressure. Again the key to the front seven will be the Nose Guard.
In addition to all the questions surrounding the DB's, QB's, OL, and DL for BYU, they also will face the toughest schedule in recent memory, and some are saying their toughest in school history. Gone are the early independent days of beating up on Idaho State, New Mexico State, San Jose State, and Idaho. Instead this year, the Cougars have Texas, Wisconsin, Notre Dame, and Georgia Tech. This is a heavily loaded scheduled. A schedule better suited for what Holmoe and Bronco believed this team was going to be, (A senior heavy class being lead by Senior stud Jake Heaps), but may be too much for what this team actually is (A young team with question marks up and down the roster.) At least it'll be fun for BYU fans.
You've Got Questions, I've Got.... Well More Questions
While BYU is faced with a lot of questions on their team, no state team has more questions, without real answers that the Utes. After seeing their season derailed by another Jordan Wynn shoulder injury last season, the Utes punted on the year mid season in order to give Travis Wilson valuable playing time. While the results were mixed, this is when we'll find out if it was a worthy gamble. Or will Utah be doomed to another season of inconsistency at QB.
Unlike BYU, who also has questions at the QB spot, Utah has questions at both RB, and WR. Top to bottom Utah very well could have the most talent at both positions, but they are also extremely thin on experience. And while on paper talent looks good, talent on paper alone means diddly squat.
To top it off Utah is moving to an uptempo style of offense that dominates the Pac-12 conference, thanks to the higher of Dennis Erickson.
Defensively Utah suffered major losses as well this season. All 4 players who started game 1 for Utah last season are gone, including the beast in the middle Star Lotulelei. Although his replacement, Tenny Palepoi, was involved heavily at the end of last season, when you lose someone that other teams were devoting 2 and sometimes 3 players to block, it's always a step back.
Taking Star's place as the leader of the defense will be Trevor Reilly, who injured his ACL in summer camp last season, and still managed to lead the team in tackles. Fully recovered Reilly looks to have a monster year, and may even have eyes on Van Oy's Best LB in the state title.
Speaking of Linebackers, what do you do when you couldn't field 3 halfway decent linebackers last season? Reduce the number of linebackers you need. Mostly to deal with the spread offenses throughout the Pac-12, but also I believe to help deal with the fact that the Linebackers in 2012 were a steaming pile of crap (and that might be an insult to steaming piles of crap everywhere) Utah is moving from a 4-3 base defense to a 4-2-5 base defense.
To aid in this, the Utes are finally moving Brian Blechen from Safety to that rover safety/linebacker spot. Of course, one problem that comes with moving to a 5 DB standard set, is the need for that many DB's. As is becoming routine at Utah, the Utes find themselves once again looking to rebuild their defensive secondary.
As you can see a common theme pretty much up and down the roster is a lack of experience. The Utes are hoping that the past two recruiting classes will finally pay off, as they have lots of young talent. But until that talent hits the field, we really have no idea if it's good or bad. Truthfully, anybody who is willing to tell you they are confident in Utah doing anything win or lose, is full of it.
Speaking Of Prediction
Remember how I reference how futile it is to try and predict anything in regards to Utah's season. Well I'm about to embark on said futility. Not just Utah, but BYU and Utah State as well. For Each game I'll give a reason of hope, reason to fear, and predicted outcome.
Let's start in Logan.
Week 1 - @Utah: Reason for hope: Aggies derailed Utah's season last year by getting their first victory against the Utes in nearly 20 years.
Reason for fear: The players may be similar for the Aggies, but they have a lot of coaches coaching in their first game.
Prediction: Matt Wells doesn't begin his coaching career with a victory.
Week 2 - @ Air Force: Reason for hope: Aggies offensive line should be able to dominate the undersized defensive front seven of Air Force.
Reason for fear: It's Air Force, and that means cut blocks and the triple option.
Prediction: Matt Wells get his first victory, and Utah State's first Mountain West victory.
Week 3 - Weber State: Reason for hope: It's Weber State. There is nothing but hope in this matchup.
Reason for fear: Power Outage causes all of the Aggies to sleep in and miss kickoff.
Prediction: Blowout Victory
Week 4 - @Usc: Reason for hope: Aggies are no stranger to big time venues having taken Oklahoma, Wisconsin, and Arkansas to the wire on the road the past three seasons.
Reason for fear: They lost all three of those games, and once again figure to be out-manned.
Prediction: Once again down to the wire, once again coming up short.
Week 5 - @San Jose State: Reason for hope: Even being a surprise last year, San Jose State was still a lesser Utah State.
Reason for fear: 4 road games in their first 5 can wear on everyone.
Prediction: Aggies start 2 -0 in the Mountain West.
Week 6 - BYU: Reason for hope: Utah State has outplayed BYU in each of the last three meetings, and come into the season with many fewer questions. Plus this game is at Logan where the Aggies won the last time the two teams played there.
Reason for fear: Aggies have manage to snatch defeat from the Jaws of victory the last two years.
Prediction: A close hard fought loss, but just barely.
Week 7 - Boise State: Reason for hope: Game is in Logan and not on the smurf turf.
Reason for fear: The Broncos have had a year to move on from Kellen Moore, and look to be getting back to form.
Prediction:Remember when the Broncos were the class of the WAC, and the Aggies were just a bump in the road? Aggies may be a bit better, The Broncos might night be what they used to be, and the conference is now the Mountain West, but the result will be the same.
Week 8 - @New Mexico: Reason for hope: The Lobos are still struggling to get out of the dumpster they've been in since Mike Locksley was hired.
Reason for fear: Bob Davie is in his second year, and the Lobos could very well be frisky.
Prediction: An angered Aggies team rebounds from the previous week.
Week 9 - Bye
Week 10 - Hawaii Reason for hope: Hawaii has been struggling the last few years, and looks to still be one of the bottom dwellers of the conference.
Reason for fear: Norm Chow has had a full year to convert to a pro style offense.
Prediction: Aggies may not get to enjoy the islands this year, but they'll enjoy a victory.
Week 11 - @Unlv Reason for hope: What more do you need, other than being better at every position?
Reason for fear: Chucky Keeton gets mixed up with some bad people after an all night Texas Hold 'Em spree.
Prediction: Despite no victories over good teams, the Aggies are in position for another good year.
Week 12 - Bye
Week 13 - Colorado State Reason for hope: CSU is deep in the middle of a multi decade slump.
Reason for fear: Towards the end of the season injuries, of which USU was fairly lucky at avoiding last year, can start to pile up.
Prediction: Aggies get their 4th straight.
Week 14 - Wyoming Reason for hope: By this time in the season any Wells and company will be really comfortable.
Reason for fear: Wyoming seems to alternate good and bad seasons under Christensen. They are due for a good year.
Prediction: It's not enough to get in the MWC Championship game, but Aggies win their finale.
Final Record: 8-4
Games most likely to lose that they shouldn't: San Jose State, Wyoming, San Jose
Games most likely to win that they shouldn't: Utah
Plausible best case scenario 10 wins (Beating Utah, and Byu)
Plausible lowest win total: 5 wins (Losing to Air Force, Wyoming, and San Jose State)
Game least comfortable in predicting: Byu, Utah
Byu
Week 1 - @Virginia Reason for hope: Despite being a Big 5 conference member, Virginia isn't good. Also Bronco is really really good at winning first games of the season, whether his team is good or not, whether his opponent is good or not.
Reason for fear: Long travel, New QB, New Offensive system, major replacements on defense, are all things that can cause problems in week 1.
Prediction: Sloppy close first half, BYU pulls away in second half
Week 2 - Texas Reason for hope: BYU will point to their one point loss two years ago in Texas. This time the Longhorns are in Provo.
Reason for fear: Even if in name only, Texas is one of Football Royalty, and that always brings a different atmosphere. BYU typically struggles in big games, and games against a top 15 Texas are big.
Prediction: BYU hangs tight for most of the first half, before Texas turns it on.
Week 3 - Bye
Week 4 - Utah Reason for hope: It's the Holy War. They're at home. Riley Nelson and Jake Heaps aren't involved. Kyle Van Oy came back specifically to win this game. Bronco's pretty good with extra preparation, and Robert Anae was the last BYU offensive coordinator to notch a win.
Reason for fear: It's the Holy War. Enough said.
Prediction: Since it's the Holy War it'll probably be a memorable ending, but Van Oy retires without a victory in it.
Week 5 - Middle Tennessee Reason for hope: 3rd straight home game. Kinks should be worked out of new system transition, and they're just a better team.
Reason for fear: Win or lose, the threat of a Holy War hangover is always around.
Prediction: When your schedule is filled with these games, it's a joke, when it's a change of pace game on a tough schedule this is good scheduling. Byu pulls out the victory.
Week 6 - @Utah State Reason for hope: The defense absolutely stifled Utah State's offense last year in the back half of what was the absolute worse two game stretch of football game I've ever watched in my life. They absolutely stuffed everything the Aggies wanted to do. That game made Ziggy a first round pick.
Reason for fear: That said, they were still outplayed last year for the third straight time in this series.
Prediction: Prediction: A close hard fought loss, but just barely. But ask me again in five minutes and I"m sure it'll be different.
Week 7 - Georgia Tech Reason for hope: If the Utah State game made Ziggy a first rounder, it was the Georgia Tech game last year that made him a top 5 pick. (Since he didn't do anything really in most of the other games.) Plus Bronco does unbelievably well against the triple option.
Reason for fear: Yellow Jackets have admitted they took BYU for granted this year, and seem pissed.
Prediction: The guy who gave this
awesome speech gives a pregame speech to the Jackets and they get revenge for last season.
Week 8 - @Houston Reason for hope: With Kevin Sumlin gone, Houston was a dumpster fire last year, having to fire their offensive coordinator three weeks in. Houston was always a system team, and the system left with Sumlin.
Reason for fear: Houston is still one of those teams that could shock you, and being sandwiched between Georgia Tech, and the Boise State/Wisconsin is begging for Admiral Ackbar involvement.
Prediction: It's over by halftime, as BYU gets their best game of the year.
Week 9 - Boise State Reason for hope: If Utah State was the back half of the terrible two game stretch, Boise State was the front half. That said, BYU was a momentous coaches blunder away from winning the game.
Reason for fear: Boise typically learns form it's mistakes, and Southwick is more comfortable as the QB.
Prediction: The Boise dominance of the Beehive State continues.
Week 10 - Bye
Week 11 - @Wisconsin Reason for hope: Despite a third consecutive Rose Bowl trip, Wisconsin was quite average last year. Plus this late into the season we'll start to see just how much, if at all, Gary Andersen is in over his head.
Reason for fear: This is a brutal schedule and being late in the season attrition should be heavily in force for BYU, plus Andersen doesn't like BYU, and you know he won't want to lose to them.
Prediction: Wisconsin's hogs push BYU around and Andersen takes the game.
Week 12 - Idaho State Reason for hope: Go back last year, and two years ago to my rants about Prositution games. Idaho State has 6 wins in the last 5 years combined.
Reason for fear: Nothing to fear, except injuries. BYU could fail to show up and still win this game.
Prediction: If BYU first stringers play a down in the second half, this game was a failure.
Week 13 - @Notre Dame Reason for hope: A Riley Nelson overthrow stood between victory and defeat last year for BYU. Everett Golson, last year's Irish QB is no longer there.
Reason for fear: The Irish were National Championship
frauds runner ups last year, and figure to be in the argument again this season.
Prediction: Another defensive battle like last year, Notre Dame once again pulls away in the 4th.
Week 14 - @Nevada Reason for hope: Nevada is in the midst of a transition season after Chris Ault retired this past offseason.
By this point BYU may just be ready to get the season over Prediction: BYU wins and ends the season on a high note.
Final Record: 6-6
Games most likely to lose that they shouldn't: Utah State, Houston
Games most likely to win that they shouldn't: Boise, Notre Dame
Plausible best case scenario: 10 wins (Beating Utah, Boise, Notre Dame, Georgia Tech)
Plausible lowest win total: 4 Wins (Losing to Nevada, Utah State)
Game least comfortable in predicting: Utah (Holy War, Georgia Tech)
Utah
Week 1 - Utah State Reason for hope: Last year, Utah State best team ever played their absolute best game, Utah's worst team in 10 years, played one of their worst games. Saw their starting QB go down with injury, and still only lost in overtime.
Reason for fear: First game with so many unknowns could lead to problems.
Prediction: A 4th quarter score pulls the Aggies within 10, but that's it.
Week 2 - Weber State Reason for hope: The Utes usually start the season with the FCS opponent, this year they're a tuneup game before Pac-12 play the following week.
Reason for fear: Massive food poisoning strikes the entire team.
Prediction: Utah uses the game to work out kinks discovered previous week in preparation for the next week.
Week 3 - Oregon State Reason for hope: For whatever reason, the Utes still trusted Devonte Christopher during the game last year, as he fumbled away the Utes chance for an upset last year. Utah and Oregon State matchup extremely well together.
Reason for fear: Because they matchup so well, it also means there's not much separation between the two teams. Also Utes have started 0-4 in conference play last two season.
Prediction: Brian Johnson isn't calling plays, Devonte Christopher isn't involved, so there's not goal line Reverse fumble to lose the game for Utah.
Week 4 - @BYU Reason for hope: It's the Holy War. Last year without their starting QB, their starting RB, and their starting SS, the Utes dominated before Holy War magic kicked in.
Reason for fear: It's the Holy War. Utah plays hits the road for the first time this season, but at least it's only Rice-Eccles South. It is extremely, extremely hard to win 3 games in a row in this series, let alone 4. Even with Riley Nelson last year, BYU almost won the game.
Prediction:This time the game only has one ending, but it'll be a typical Holy War ending. Utah sends the rivalry on hiatus with a victory.
Week 5 - Bye
Week 6 - Ucla Reason for hope: Last year in his first start, Travis Wilson kept the Utes in a close game. This year he's more seasoned and he's at home.
Reason for fear: Ucla has won the South the last two years, and this may be their best of the three teams.
Prediction: Another woulda, coulda, shoulda game for the Utes is another loss.
Week 7 - Stanford Reason for hope: Stanford uses a power running game, which Utah's usually stout defensive line tends to keep in check, especially against a team like Stanford that doesn't go deep.
Reason for fear:Also Stanford is really, really good, being defending Rose Bowl champions, and national title contenders, and all that rot.
Prediction: Surprising the game is closer than anyone thinks it would be. That still means Utah lost by double digits.
Week 8 - @Arizona Reason for hope: Arizona is as much a question mark as Utah, and have been hit hard by the injury bug in the offseason.
Reason for fear: Ka'Deem Carey demolished the Utah defense last year.
Prediction: A third straight loss for the Utes leaves them reeling.
Week 9 - @Usc Reason for hope: The Trojans are coached by Lane Kiffin. The first two years in the Pac-12 the closest thing the Utes have to a quality win is almost beating Usc both years. Lane Kiffin might not be fired yet.
Reason for fear: It's the Trojans, and the Coliseum which is powerful mystique for a young team full of recruits who would have loved to have been recruited by USC. Kiffin may be fired by this point of the season.
Prediction: Once again Utah holds it close, but just can't quite overcome the Trojans.
Week 10 - Bye
Week 11 - Arizona State Reason for hope: Finally Utah gets one of the Arizona teams at home in November. Plus Arizona State should be in their annual swoon by now.
Reason for fear: Sun Devils are one of the favorites to win the South, and Graham has them much more disciplined than before he got there.
Prediction: Utah gets vengeance for their worst game last season, by surprisingly destroying the Sun Devils.
Week 12 - @Oregon Reason for hope: Chip Kelly has left the Ducks, and we don't really know if Helfrich can maintain the ship.
Reason for fear: It's still the Ducks, it's probably still going to be the blur, and the Ducks will still probably be in the National Title Picture.
Prediction: Despite a 7-3 end of first quarter lead, the Utes still lose, and Oregon still puts up points in bunches.
Week 13 - @Washington State Reason for hope: Other than reputation, we haven't seen anything that tells us Mike Leach is going to be able to implement his Air Raid offense in Pullman.
Reason for fear: Two years ago with True Freshman Halladay playing, the Cougars took the Utes to overtime in Pullman.
Prediction: Utah wins handily, Washington State is looking at another 3 or 4 win season, and yet, everyone still remains convinced that Leach can do it in Pullman because he was able to do it in Lubbock.
Week 14 - Colorado Reason for hope: Colorado is bad from the top down. A new coach isn't going to change it when the core is what's rotten.
Reason for fear: Despite being so bad, Colorado is 1-1 the last two years against Utah, and Utah has struggled with them.
Prediction: Utah wins by double digits. The Pac-12 continues to try and force this as a rivalry.
Final Record: 7-5
Game most likely to lose that they shouldn't: Washington State
Games most likely to win that they shouldn't: Ucla, Arizona
Plausible best case scenario: 8 wins (Winning one of the Ucla/Arizona Games)
Plausible lowest win total: 3 Wins (Losing to Utah State, Oregon State, Byu, and Arizona State)
Game least comfortable in predicting: Any game not against Weber State.
Podcasting This Season
Last year marked the first season where I did semi-occasional podcast to correspond with the Articles. While I got absolutely zero reader/listener participation from anyone I had fun doing it, so I will try to do some more podcasts this season. Though it will be a bit more difficult than last year, due to my wife working weekends.
That said if anyone has any comments or even topics for discussion, please by all means send them to me at
[email protected] or leave them in comments below. Even if it's not about something podcast related please leave comments, especially you Rhett, I always like discussing how wrong you are.
And Finally, Just Because I'm A Jerk
In the past 4 years Jake Heaps went from High School kid at an Iggy's press conference claiming National Championships for Byu, to Saint Jake Heaps the savior, to Weak minded, weak hearted blunder, to Riley Nelson's backup, to Kansas Jayhawk transfer, to player who got screwed by Bronco's Riley infatuation.
After sitting out the mandatory transfer year last season Jake Heaps is poised to be the starting QB for Charlie Weiss and the Kansas Jayhawks.
This provides me with endless amounts of joy, and a great no lose situation.
Either Jake Heaps continues to be the crappy unable to read a defense, make a check down Quarterback who flinches before the hit even comes, and stinks up the place in Kansas, in which case I get to enjoy seeing him continually brought down to earth.
Or, Charlie Weiss is able to get Heaps to realize his potential, and Heaps has an amazing season therefore causing BYU fans to regret the missed opportunity of the last two season even more, in which case I get to laugh at BYU.
To this end, this season will also have a new feature called the Jake Heaps Tracker.
Should be fun.